Sounding the whistle on racial discrimination terminated my professional journey - Burrell

Warning: This article includes details of discriminatory comments and conduct

Ex-England player Luther Burrell states that speaking out to reveal racial discrimination in professional rugby brought his professional journey to an premature end.

In a June 2022, Burrell described racism as being "widespread" in the sport, showing digital communications and recalling training ground "comments" he had been subject to while playing for Newcastle.

Then 34 and out of contract, Burrell's only elite playing since has been a handful of games with guest team the Barbarians.

"I have absolutely had to end my career because of what went on," he explained to media outlets.

"I really wanted to carry on playing, naturally I did. I sought that, and it collapsed when word came out that there were inquiries going on.

"This situation was challenging - I had to simply come to terms with the outcome and understand that this whole situation is a lot more important than me."

A rugby governing body report in 2023 found Burrell's claims were accurate "likely correct", but said it could not collect sufficient proof to definitively say they occurred at Newcastle.

Burrell told media he also faced discrimination within the England set-up, during a Test career that saw him win 15 caps after his first game in 2014.

"I have had several distressing experiences within the national team," he stated.

"Certain instances of discrimination and some just outdated thinking that's really inappropriate."

Racism had become normalised in team environments, in Burrell's view.

"This is something that has been dressed up as humour and that's been the problem that I've myself experienced and witnessed," said Burrell, who is of Jamaican heritage.

"During a period of time you just begin to believe that it's the standard and that is acceptable and that it's not malicious, but that's incorrect."

Burrell explains he was finally motivated to speak out after a fellow player at Newcastle referred to him as a "enslaved person" and told him to put sun cream on his arms and legs "where chains would be placed."

The rugby authority said Burrell's disclosures had led to "increased scrutiny at the environment within the elite game and to the implementation of an strategy for the elite level."

"The organization has placed considerable focus on inclusion and inclusion in the sport and a substantial amount of work undertaken both before and since Luther Burrell spoke publicly and shared his encounters of racism and class discrimination," it continued.

"We are continuing work with clubs and partners in the elite level to work for a environment of inclusivity but recognize this requires patience and is an continuous effort."

Every Premiership and PWR club now has face-to-face training on building inclusive environments, with its success tracked via individual reports and surveys.

All England players, including youth squads, are educated in being "engaged observers" to step in and protect others from harmful behaviour.

"You be so pleased of what you have done," Burrell's mother Joyce said to him as part of the documentary about his experiences.

"We know it has had this effect on you and finished your career, but in our eyes, you have achieved so well. We are so proud of you and to have you as a son."

Burrell's father Geoff passed away soon after the filming of the documentary, and his sister died earlier this year.

Burrell, who was raised on a social housing in Huddersfield, maintains his work to make the sport more open.

His charitable organization aims to reach young people in disadvantaged communities and support them thrive on and off the field with free sports coaching, mentoring and nutrition education.

"My motivations are pure, I want to see the progress of the game and if others is prepared to tell their experience then I'll persist to fight that cause because I'm not just pursuing this for myself," he said.

"Everyone involved have an obligation to make the game as great as it can be and the more I speak about it hopefully the more confident fellow players will become about discussing their own stories as well.

"I grab the bull by the horns and continue bearing this flag and continue carrying this weight and do what I can to develop possibilities and make the sport more attractive and more welcoming.

"There are a lot of disadvantaged young people and a lot of poverty and I sincerely think that the sport has the potential to transform their futures, just as it did for me."